Record 35 candidates vying for Minneapolis mayor

MINNEAPOLIS -- A record number of candidates have filed to replace Mayor R.T. Rybak.

As of the 5 p.m. deadline Tuesday, assistant city clerk Grace Wachlarowicz says 35 people have filed paperwork to run for mayor, which sets up a crowded showdown.

The race includes two city council members, one former council member, a Minneapolis attorney and a county commissioner.

With no clear front runner, the candidates will have their work cut out for them.

"It's going to be hard to get name recognition," says Hamline University professor David Schultz. "Especially for some of those candidates who fall further down on the list because they probably don't have a lot of money, and they probably aren't going to get invited to debates."

Rybak has held the office for almost 12 years and is not running for re-election. He has not endorsed a successor.

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